Dutch Cabinet Greenlights Combat Support Ship Project

The Dutch Cabinet has given its approval on building a new Combat Support Ship (CSS) for the navy, Zr.Ms. Den Helder.

The Cabinet accorded the CSS project on 19 December, and submitted a D-letter to the Parliament for its approval. The D-letter, part of the Defense Materiel Process (DMP), is the conclusive letter announcing the procurement decision for a large military project.

Once the Parliament gives its consent regarding the deal, the construction of the new vessel will be undertaken by Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS).

The new Combat Support Ship (CSS) is based on the design of the Joint Support Ship Zr.Ms. Karel Doorman. By taking an existing design as a basis, it is possible to deliver the ship in 2024.

The almost 200-meter-long ship will have a 75-person crew and can also take an additional 75 people on board. There is room for several helicopters and around twenty containers. The CSS is built by Damen in Romania, after which the ship’s final components and the combat management system will be installed in Den Helder, Netherlands.

In addition to the CSS, DSNS will build the new frigates replacing the M-frigates of both the Belgian and Dutch navies. The yard was also selected last week, together with its Swedish partner Saab Kockums, for the next phase in the replacement programme of the Walrus class submarines.